4 University Daily Kansan / Thursday, November 14, 1991 OPINION Stronger tactics needed to stop bloodshed Anation divided President Bush recently joined with the European Community in imposing economic sanctions against Yugoslavia. Bush also called for the United Nations to impose an oil embargo on the war-torn country. Although only about 5 percent of Yugoslavia's trade is with the United States, Bush's action is an important step in sending the Yugoslavian republics the proper message. Since fighting broke out between the republics of Serbia and Croatia four and a half months ago, more than 1,700 people, most of them civilian, have died. Hundreds of thousands of refugees are being created and property damage is being estimated in the billions of dollars. Just one example of the mindless destruction being perpetuated is the bombing and blockading of the Renaissance port-city Dubrovnik. The city has little apparent military value and is being destroyed for psychological impact. With the rapid pace of change taking place in Eastern Europe, it is vitally important that the region is not engulfed by ethnic conflict. World War I began in what is today Yugoslavia, demonstrating that events in the area may have far reaching consequences. The European Community has negotiated 12 cease-fires with Serbia and Croatia, and each one has subsequently collapsed. Stronger measures are needed to stop the bloodshed. President Bush should be commended for his support of the European Community's effort to stop the violence between Serbia and Croatia. John Noltensmeyer for the editorial board There's nothing new about Duke's message It always starts the same way: unemployment, poverty and fear. Perhaps when taken singly, these things aren't so dangerous. The problem is they tend to run together and feed on one another. And they all lead to a consistently horrifying result: hate. Human nature is a hard thing to understand, but certain aspects of it repeat themselves so often that we can't help see a pattern developing. When large groups of people are scared, or even worse, poor and scared, they start looking for someone to blame. Once a scapegoat can be found, and one will be found, a general comes along to lead the forces on their mission to exterminate all those who bear the blame. In modern times, the general's name is David Duke. We've heard his message many times before. The hard-working middle class is being crippled by a lower class not willing to carry its share of the load. In hard times, who do we blame? The easiest targets are, of course, welfare mothers and orphan children. These are not the people who write on editorial pages or participate in political-action committees. Parallelis can't help but be drawn to Germany in the years preceding J.T. Pontiac Staff columnist World War II. Another charismatic speaker enthralled the masses with talk of bringing power back to the majority. The blond-haired, blue-eyed portion of the community was deemed to be the breeding ground for the future. Jews and other undesirables were to be systematically eliminated until the perfect Aryan race was created. A man named Hitler used this fearful, jobless population as his faithful tool to oppress minorities. We now see the same political strategy succeeding on a lesser level in Louisiana. Duke has, no doubt, polished his speaking style. He's shaved the Hitler-like mustache he wore in the early 1980s, and his smile is now only slightly crooked. When the sound bytes are carefully edited, he sounds like any other politician, but does say quite a lot about the U.S. Republican Party). In his fourth race in four years, he's finally mastered the art of marketing himself to the mass- he no longer denies that the Holocaust occurred or that he once celebrated Hitler's birthday. He now claims to be a born-again Christian and begs the forgiveness of all his followers. The scariest thing of all is that Duke's supporters are just average U.S. citizens, people who pay their taxes but who feel somehow short-changed. Some have been passed over due to quotas. Some people feel they're part of the majority. They feel discriminated against and want "equality." But let us ask ourselves a couple questions: "Who does the system favor?" "Are the odds really stacked in favor of the welfare mother and her children?" In doing so, he also begs the question: "Who are these followers?" Most people are comforted by the thought that some band of rebels is spreading Duke's word in a distant southern state, but the story doesn't end there. People I consider friends also have heard his message on CNN, "The Phil Donahue Show," "Nightwatch," etc. And more of them than I ever believed possible say they are willing to vote for him country is their first reelection in 2014. People are looking for jobs and looking for someone to blame. Finding someone to blame is easy, and finding a leader for the cause is now even easier. To these questions, I can only answer that we do the best we can given the circumstances that we live in. I rely further on Jackson Browne: "Nobody rides for free. Nobody gets it like they want it. Nobody gives you any guarantee." Let us at least try to look within for the blame and share it. Are the odds stacked against us? We don't try to blame me. Don't blame the welfare mother or her children. They have it the hardest of all. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, but let's not wipe it on someone else's face while we're eating它. Duke's supporters are quick to point out that skeletons can be found in anyone's closet, and this is probably true. The only difference is that most skeletons don't include the rotting remains from a recent lynching of a minority man with a knife in the block. But that enough these days. If you want you, they'll find you. Before I go to sleep tonight, I'll lock all doors and windows tightly. J. T. Pontiac is a pseudonym for Jeff Bernstein, who is a graduate student in business from Kansas City, Mo. Question: Howdo you think Magic Johnson's disclosure of testing positive for the HIV virus will affect the way society views AIDS? Melissa McClure Senior English Wichita "I would say that because of his celebrity status, it hits home for a great many more people. Maybe it will take away some of the stigma of the people who have AIDS. It can result in a more positive way of thinking, awareness and the need for practicing safe sex." Stephen Martino Sophomore Political science Olathe "I think the Magic Johnson disclosure will focus attention on the AIDS epidemic in the United States. It shows us that the problem isn't part of just one aspect of society but is a problem we're all going to have to take responsibility for and help solve." Lauri Conner Senior English St. Louis "I think it's a sad thing. He gets to take his contracts, but what would happen to the average person infected? When people see Magic, they're going to say, 'Oh, poor Magic.' They are accepting him for who he is. When people see the average person infected with HIV, they are going to say, 'Watch out, he's got the virus.'16 Fabien Lamy Exchange student Advertising France "Magic Johnson is very popular around the world. It was a very good thing for Magic Johnson to tell the truth because now people can be aware that anyone can contract the virus. What happened is not a good thing, but it will help." Matt Edge Senior Economics Albuquerque, N.M. "I think that it"s going to be viewed as a disease that affects everyone, not just IV drug users and homosexuals. Everyone kind of knew that, but it never really sank in. Magic Johnson, being a sports figure, is a person everyone can identify with, making the disease very real." Melissa Whitaker Senior Communications Lenexa "I think that people will become more aware with the problems associated with the AIDS epidemic largely because of Magic Johnson's prominence. He's a star that is looked up to by many kids and students. There hasn't been anyone else infected with the virus that has been looked up to as much as he has." KANSAN STAFF HOLLY LAWTON Editor JENNIFERREYNOLDS Managing editor TOM EBLEN General manager, news adviser Editors Editors News ... Erik Schutz Editorial ... Karen Park Planning ... Sarah Davis Campus ... Goraki Gorsak Sports ... Mike Andrews Photo ... Brian Schoeni Features ... Tiffany Harnes Graphics ... 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SOMEONE I ACTUALLY WORK WITH AND ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS... AND I MAKE IT HAPPEN. SAY, YOU SHOULD KNOW SHE DOES NOT RESPOND TO LOAD NOISES TO WELL- LIKE A CAR DOOR CLOSING... I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY AND, WELL... EXCUSE ME... AND YOU WANT TO REASURE HER THAT THE RUMORS OF YOUR INSTITUTIONALIZATION ARE FOOLISH; SICK! MKHAIDC 1972 HEY, I HAD TO... YOU GUNS ARE TWO OPTION.. IT ADDS SPACE - STOP PICKING AT THE CLOCK!